At the beginning of March, Thuringia was the focus of federal research policy: Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär made her inaugural visit to Thuringia and, together with Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt, learned about current research and innovation projects "Made in Thuringia" at the Fraunhofer Institutes IKTS and IOF.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the new research building at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF in Jena. The extension will house new laboratories, machines for high-tech research, cleanrooms, and offices. It also includes a new electron beam lithography system for the production of photonic components and a ground station for satellite-based quantum communication. This is the institute's third expansion, with costs amounting to approximately 30 million euros, half of which was provided by the federal government and half by the state.
At the Fraunhofer IKTS (Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems) in Hermsdorf, Minister Bär learned about current developments and strategic initiatives in the field of energy and environmental technology. The institute uses ceramic components in numerous plant engineering applications: for hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture, for the synthesis of platform chemicals and e-fuels, in massive stationary batteries for power grids, and for purifying water for the public and industry. The region surrounding the Fraunhofer IKTS in Hermsdorf is one of the world's leading clusters for these ceramic technologies.
The minister was also impressed here: “The expertise here at Fraunhofer IKTS, which the institute has built up in recent years in cooperation with industry, is an important building block for Germany’s competitiveness. The energy storage, CCU and water technologies made from ceramic materials not only contribute to Germany’s resilience and technological sovereignty, they can also become international export successes.”
